Disease resistance refers to the ability of a plant or animal to limit or withstand the negative impacts of a pathogen or other disease-causing organism. Organisms have complex biological mechanisms that provide immunity against infections.
In plants, disease resistance works through various molecular and physical barriers. For example, some plants have thicker outer cell walls that pathogens can't easily penetrate. There are also chemical defenses - when a plant detects a pathogen, it swiftly produces antimicrobial compounds to neutralize the attack. Plants also utilize RNA interference to disrupt the disease organism's own genetic code.
Genetic resistance is another key mechanism. Some plants have receptor proteins that recognize pathogens and rapidly initiate defense responses. These receptors may be encoded by R genes that have evolved to target specific pathogens. Breeding programs select plant varieties with the best R genes for disease resistance.
Animals also have complex immune systems involving cellular and molecular components. Physical barriers like skin prevent entry of pathogens. Specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes recognize foreign invaders and coordinate attacks against them. Animals can also develop long-lasting immunity after exposure to a pathogen, enabling faster response times upon reinfection.
Bolstering disease resistance is crucial for global food security in the face of booming populations and climate change. Crop scientists are utilizing cutting-edge gene editing tools like CRISPR to equip staple crops with enhanced resistance. Livestock breeders also select for genetically superior and resilient animals.
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I hope this gives a helpful high-level overview of what disease resistance entails and how it protects organisms from infections. Let me know if you have any other questions!